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Fishing Lake Mead

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By Rick Seaman

Lake Mead, AZ

Popular Fish Species Lake Mead, AZ


Lake Mead Popular Fish - Striped Bass

Striped Bass Fishing

Due to their large size, striped bass are a favorite of many locals and fishing guides at Lake Mead. They are plentiful, run in schools and can grow to bragging size. In Spring and Fall work the upper end of the lake where water is flowing into the lake. Look for deeper water in the river channel, as a holding place for stripers. In Summer and Winter, stripers hang out in deeper water during the day Morning often draws the stripers to much shallower water, look for them from the surface down to around the 20-foot range as they feed on shallow-running schools of bait. The lake is filled with plenty of baitfish and sunfish to to keep the fishery thriving. Being successful at fishing for stripers is a matter of locating schools of bait, and the wolf packs of stripers which are likely to be nearby. Fish finders, and forward facing sonar, are a big help in locating these roaming schools. Live bait is very effective here, and stripers can be caught year round.


Lake Mead Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Lake Mead has always been a popular bass tournament lake for anglers in Nevada and Arizona. Weekend and tournament anglers find the fishing to be slow at times, yet pretty good at other times. Fishing for bass can be quite rewarding, with an occasional bass over 4 pounds being caught. Anglers can also catch smallmouth bass, which reside here in decent numbers. Bass often move shallow and become aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, drop shot rigs, big worms, jigs and spoons are good options. In winter, spend your time fishing deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. A history of careful fisheries management by the Nevada Department of Wildlife has helped to maintain a good bass fishery for anglers.


Lake Mead Popular Fish - Black Crappie

Black Crappie Fishing

A nice population of black crappie resides in Lake Mead. Crappie tend to run in schools, and once a school is located, there is a good chance for catching significant numbers. White crappie, in smaller numbers, also make this lake their home. Crappie fishing is easy and requires simple, basic gear. Virtually any fishing pole, reasonably small line and crappie jigs or small hooks baited with live bait, creates the ideal setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to maintain. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. Because crappie prefer cover and structure, locate brush and vegetation in appropriate water depths. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water.


Lake Mead Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, rainbow trout, bluegill and striped bass at Lake Mead in Arizona.

Located on the Colorado River along the Arizona-Nevada border, massive Lake Mead is truly a recreation paradise. 160,000 surface-acres fulfill the dreams of those who love to spend time on the water boating, water skiing, fishing, swimming and vacationing on rental houseboats.

One of the main attractions of Lake Mead is its excellent striped bass fishing. The lake is known for its robust population of striped bass. These hard-fighting fish are highly sought after for their size and thrilling fights. Anglers can target striped bass by trolling, or casting with topwater lures, crankbaits and spoons, or using live bait.

In addition to striped bass, Lake Mead is also home to other popular sport fish species. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, and crappie can be found in the lake's waters, providing anglers with a diverse range of fishing opportunities.

Arizona Side

Arizonans access the lake at two primary marinas. To camp or launch at Lake Mead Marina, take US Highway 93 across the Hoover Dam bypass into Nevada. Turn north on Lakeshore road to arrive at Lake Mead Marina.To access to the Temple Bar area, leave Highway 93 onto Temple Bar Road (County Road 143) east approximately 24 miles to Temple Bar Marina.

Nevada Side

Several options for accessing Lake Mead, are available from Nevada. Highway 147 out of Las Vegas travels Stewart's Point, Echo Bay and Callville Bay. There is also a turnoff onto Lakeshore Blvd for access to Lake Mead Marina.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Mead

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Largemouth bass Channel catfish Black crappie Rainbow troutBluegillStriped bass

Fishing Boats For Rent In Arizona

Bass & Striper Fishing at Lake Mead.

Largemouth bass populations have declined with the introduction of striped bass into Lake Mead. However, there is still plenty of action for both species. Smallmouth bass are thriving as they focus their diet on crawfish, which the stripers do not compete for. Striper fishing can be fast and furious when you locate a school. They may be deep or cruising the surface chasing schools of shad. When stripers are shallow, any baitfish-imitating lure will catch them. If you find them deep, a spoon or cut bait will do the trick.

Lake Mead Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

(Weather at Hoover Dam)

Fishing Boat Rentals

Callville Bay Resort & Marina
Rentals: Bass boats, deck boats and pontoons
702 565-4813

Lake Mead Marina
Rentals: Fishing boats and pontoon boats
702 293-3484

Temple Bar Marina
Rentals: Fishing boats, deck boats, runabouts, canoes and kayaks
928 767-3211

Marinas

Lake Mead Marina
490 Horsepower Cove
Boulder City, NV 89005
702 293-3484

Temple Bar Marina
1 Main St
Temple Bar Marina, AZ 86443
928 767-3211

Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Callville Bay Resort & Marina
100 Callville Bay Rd
Overton, NV 89040
Concrete boat launch ramp with ample paved parking.
702 565-4813

Echo Bay Launch Ramp
Concrete boat launch ramp with ample parking, located midway up the Overton Arm on the west side of the lake.

Hemenway Harbor Launch Ramp
Boulder City, NV 89005
Large concrete launch ramp with plenty of parking.
702 293-8990

South Cove Marina
Concrete boat launch ramp with ample paved parking, located on the southeast sector of the lake.

Temple Bar Marina
1 Main St
Temple Bar Marina, AZ 86443
Concrete boat launch ramp with ample paved parking.
928 767-3211

Fishing Guides On Lake Mead

Hooked on Stripers Fishing Guides - stripers

If you offer fishing guide services on this lake, please contact us for a free listing, to be posted here.

Fishing License

Click here for a Arizona Fishing License.

Click here for a Nevada Fishing License.

Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby

Boulder Beach Campground - 702 293-2540

Temple Bar Marina Campground - 928 767-3211

Callville Bay Resort, Marina & Campground - 800 255-5561

Lake Mead RV Village Campground - 702 293-2540

Callville Bay Campground - 702 293-8990

Meadview RV Park Campground - 928 564-2662

Atlatl Rock Campground - 702 397-2088

Boulder Oaks RV Resort Campground - 702 294-4425

Lake Mead AZ Map - Fishing & Camping Areas

Contact Information

Lake Mead

Callville Bay Resort & Marina
100 Callville Bay Rd
Overton, NV 89120
800 255-5561

Lake Mead Marina
490 Horsepower Cove
Boulder City, NV 89005
702 293-3484

Temple Bar Marina
1 Main Street
Temple Bar Marina, AZ 86443
928 767-3211

Echo Bay Resort & Marina
Currently closed
600 Echo Bay Rd
Overton, NV 89040
702 394-4000

 

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